Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

From my constituency offices in Roscommon town and Ballaghaderreen, I have referred many people to the number provided by the Department. The only deficiency in the scheme relates to the inability of people to get appointments with consultants. I hope the Minister takes on that matter at some stage and sorts out the bottleneck that exists. I am not accusing consultants, but I feel there is a reluctance to go ahead with appointments. They know we can deal with the matter through the Department soon after that.

The opportunity to provide 1,000 extra beds and free those beds that are currently being taken out of the public system for private use is an innovative and welcome development. I compliment the Minister for it and I have no doubt it will be successful. Any further investment in the health services by the private sector is most welcome. Deputy McDaid made the point that we must keep investing because new technologies are coming into the health services all the time.

I was here for the contribution to the debate by Deputy Michael D. Higgins. He is quite lucky that he has two private hospitals in his city. They provide a wonderful service and he is lucky to have that service in Galway city.

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